The figure, compiled by the ministry's crop supply company, or Conab, is 5.6% higher than last year and brings the government number in line with private forecasts issued over the last couple of weeks.

The increase was due to an adjustment in forecast planted area. Conab added 514,000 acres to its April number, taking area to 74.1 million acres.

Drought, pests and disease hurt production in the south, while rain delayed the ...

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Dr. Dan Talks Agronomy
Can you trim inputs while growing soybeans in 2015? Here's a look at what you can and can't cut.